Collaborative Unit on Digital Citizenship

Lesson Title: Researching as a 21st Century Learner

Grade Level: Fifth Grade
Time Allotted: 50 minutes
Subject Area: English Language Arts

AASL 21st Century Standards:

1. Inquire, think critically, & gain knowledge
1.1.4: Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer questions.
1.1.5: Evaluate information found in selected sources on the basis of accuracy, validity,
appropriateness for needs, importance, and cultural context.
1.1.6: Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g. textual, visual,
media, digital) in order to make inference and gather meaning.
3. Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic
society.
3.1.6: Use information and technology ethically and responsibly.
4. Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.
4.3.4: Practice safe and ethical behaviors in personal electronic communication and
interaction.

Georgia Performance Standards (GPS):

ELAGSE5RI7: Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the
ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
ELAGSE5W7: Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge
through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
ELAGSE5W9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection,
and research.
ELAGSE5SL2: Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media
and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Learner Characteristics:

I will be teaching 5th grade students from Glennville Elementary School. The school is highly
multi-cultural and consists of a high poverty rate. The student technology ratio in our school is
1:1. Each classroom from grades 3-5 has their own set of Chromebook carts, and grades 1-2
have four carts that they share. The Media Center also contains extra carts for checkout, among
several desktops that can be used within the center. All of their research projects are done
through technology.
Pre-Assessment Results: (Appendix A)

I worked with Elise Squires to determine the main issues involving her students and digital
citizenship, social, ethical, and legal issues as well as responsible use of technology.
Twenty-four students participated in a questionnaire regarding their familiarity with technology
and research practices. After giving the questionnaire, it was determined that:
All students were familiar with using their Google sign-ins.
All students were familiar with using Google to research.
19 students were not familiar with identifying keywords for research.
All students were unfamiliar with what a domain meant.
3 students stated that they would never share their passwords with friends.
18 students stated that they were aware that they should not share personal information
online.
23 students were not able to define plagiarism, but had heard the word before.

Instructional Objective:

Throughout the duration of this lesson, students will learn about digital safety, honesty, and
literacy. The students will learn how to shorten a search by using keywords, and which sites are
most trustworthy. The students will also define plagiarism and determine the many forms in
which you can be guilty of plagiarism. Lastly, the students will learn best practices for protecting
their identity online.

Materials: Interactive whiteboard, laptop, questionnaire, informational flyer (smore.com)

Differentiation: a listly page will be displayed for use of videos and other strategies to fit the
needs of each individual child and their learning preferences.

Lesson:
Prior Knowledge: The students will already be familiar with research, having completed
research projects in 3rd and 4th grade. We will discuss topics and what keywords to type in to
see appropriate results. For example, if we wanted to research sea turtles the students may
type in keywords such as species of sea turtles.
Whole Group Instruction: For the whole group instruction, I will inform the students that they
are lifelong learners, constantly researching facts and events. Researching is a skill that they
must develop early on, and will do more and more as they progress throughout their education.
We will discuss using research methods that will take less time, using appropriate websites for
research, and how to cite resources.
Differentiation: My smore flyer will contain graphics, images, and videos.
Introduction to the activity: I will display the smore flyer on the interactive whiteboard. We will
review the main objectives of the lesson for the day. We will also discuss:
Using proper safety procedures while researching
 Using keywords to shorten your search
Using p roper websites that are created for research and other sources ( NO WIKIPEDIA)
Understanding plagiarism, and being honest when using someone elses work.

Activity: I will show the students the digital citizenship video as a hook to get the children
interested in the topic. Next, we will discuss ways in which to be digitally responsible and safe
with their information. Then, we will discuss ways that the students can research effectively, by
using keywords and phrases. I will teach the students how to cite their sources as they
research, and how to avoid plagiarism. After the presentation of the smore and discussion, the
students will be allowed to use chromebooks to research an animal of their choosing. Mrs.
Squires, the teacher, and I will circulate the class to determine whether or not the students are
using appropriate searching methods and citing their sources correctly.

Closing: We will discuss the main points of Digital Citizenship again, as well as being safe
online. Students will log off of their Chromebooks.

Research Questionnaire (Appendix A)

1. Do you have a Google Account that you can use to sign into a Chromebook?
2. Where do you go on the internet first if you want to look up a fact?
3. In the following sentences, what are the keywords that you could type in to find the
answer to the question:
a. When did the Civil War start? ________________________________
b. How many miles are in a kilometer? ___________________________
c. What are the main breeds of dog that are best for northern states?
_______________________________________
4. Which website would be more trustworthy, websites ending in .edu, .com, or .gov?
5. If your friend asked for your password, would you give it to them?
6. When on the internet, should you state your name, address, and phone number?

Short Answer:
7. In your own words, describe what plagiarism is.